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No one can paint a picture of an event or history like Erik Larson. He is completely readable and a favorite of mine to hand to readers who don't usually enjoy reading non- fiction. This story hinges on the months before Abraham Lincoln takes the presidential oath and the growing unrest as several states pull out of the Union. In his classic story set up Larson takes the views of the country and the leading political leaders but highlights the very real problem that the military faced guarding Fort Sumter off the shore of South Carolina. They were surrounded by very upset states who were stockpiling ammunition and preparing for war which left Ft. Sumter potentially cut off of supplies and no way off the island. He gives us a very human viewpoint instead of countless facts or just the military and political angles. Loved the raw humor and anxiety of Lincoln's early days getting to Washington. For every history buff and those who want to understand how we fell apart and those who are watching MANHUNT. 4 stars 
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Three generations of Chinese immigrants tied together by their DNA, complicated heritage and the choices already made for them. May is a scientist, a child of the Cultural Revolution who sees a chance to do something for her family and takes it. Lily, her daughter, falls in love with a wealthy white man who fathers a son he won't get to know. Nick grows up with his single mom smothered by her love but hungers for the father he resembles but doesn't know. Each make choices that ripple onto the generation that follows. This is a beautifully crafted saga that explores the fragility of humans and the power of science. It is a coming of age story that comes full circle exploring family, heritage, straddling cultures and nature vs. nurture. While it is an immigration story it is also a powerful tale of a family on the edge that will satisfy readers of BANYON MOON and THE MANY DAUGHTERS OF AFONG MOY by Jamie Ford. 4 1/2 stars  1918 and war is tearing Europe apart. Jesse Carson travels from her New York City Library position to France to bring books and do her part to help war torn villages. She finds joy in offering books to the children especially and along with the founders of CARD socialite Anne Morgan and Dr. Anne Murray Dike they work the front lines helping rebuild, refuel and refresh those in need. In a parallel story in 1987 a young librarian and aspiring writer is stuck in a rut at the New York City Library until she finds a reference to a little known group of women called CARD and becomes obsessed with telling their story. Fascinating historical fiction meticulously researched (including photos and a study guide) this is sure to find a forever home on the shelves along side those untold stories of brave women in war and early librarian rebels. 4 stars  Happy book birthday to FUNNY STORY by Emily Henry There is something uplifting about reading a romcom by Emily Henry. The characters are flawed, but not too much, caught up in a humorous situation but one that is not without pain, suffering and a huge attraction to the one person you shouldn't be attracted to. In this tale of interesting relationships we find Daphne (a wonderful children's librarian!) who is dumped almost at the alter and becomes roomies with the guy who got dumped and is now shacking up with Daphne's ex fiancé. Daphne and Miles seem to be opposites except for the obvious until an idea that starts out as a "get even" move creates more of a spark than they anticipated. Classic Emily Henry wit, charm and romantic entanglements that mark her books as a must read on a beach or wherever. 5 happy go lucky stars  Three foster girls with very different personalities band together to survive their psychopath foster mom. When they get a call saying that bones have been discovered and they are bringing all the fosters in for questioning the three head back into their horrible past. Listened to the fantastic Aussie accent audiobook as this book kept me entertained and puzzled. We all want the bad guy, aka foster mom, to be the culprit but was she? The three soul sisters are all dealing with trauma of their past and in perfect denial now. This might be tough for victims of abuse. 4 stars  Once again we find ourselves with detectives from both sides of the lake - Ffion from Wales and her potential love interest Leo from England. A reality show stirs up the quiet little village but when a contestant goes missing it ramps up even more. The contestants are involved in more than they bargained for making them all suspects and journalists and social media podcasters aren't helping keep any of it quiet. This police drama with much tension (of the relationship kind) and office politics is one that would do really well on the small screen. The characters are gruff but likable , the serene setting is just remote enough and the fast pace with just a trickle of clues all work really well. There is even an anxiety driven dog! For British mystery lovers of books and tv series alike. 4 stars  Historical fiction that dives into a little known true story of a small town disaster in 1928 and the grief it caused then and ripples in the generations that followed. Twins Daisy and Rose just wanted to have some fun but no one knew that one Flowers girl along with most of the young people in town would not come home that night or be left severely injured due to a massive explosion of the dance hall. 50 years later a new Daisy is deposited on her grandmother's doorstep while mom goes off with the latest boyfriend. Daisy hopes she will only be there a short time with her grandmother the town mortician but a timely newspaper internship and the discovery of the tragedy no one will talk about changes everything. The dual timeline offers these universal truths - young people always seek to rebel a bit, time doesn't heal every old wound and every family has its share of secrets. Coming of age in the Roaring Twenties and 70's in small town America that will have readers of LAST DANCE ON THE STARLIGHT PIER and SHOOT THE MOON dancing in their seat. 4 stars  A celebration of food, art and the Parisian way of life in 1980 as well as a hunt for a father, a female painter and a path forward for a lost American expat. Stella travels to Paris to honor her mother's last wish. She had led a difficult life so far with her not at all "warm and fuzzy" mother and has no clue who her father is. She finds herself experiencing everything life has to offer from beautiful vintage designer dresses to food to art. With no income she finds a temporary home at the famous Shakespeare and Company bookstore and discovers a community ready to offer support and help her with her quest. Perfect armchair travel - all the sights, smells and tastes that only Ruth Reichl can convey plus a colorful cast of characters you can't help but fall for. Readers of MASTERING THE ART OF FRENCH COOKING and francophiles will eat this up. 4 1/2 stars  Historical fiction of a famous Scopes Trial and the impact on a small town balanced with the independence of one of its residents. A publicity stunt for the town of Dayton Tennessee sets off a powder keg trial matching up Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryon arguing over the legality and right to teach evolution vs. religious creation in schools. This deeply religious town and its inhabitants including Annabel Craig was thrown into the maelstrom and threatened to sever family, friends and marriages. Annabel's husband, an attorney and science believer, was deeply committed to defending the rights of the school teacher charged with breaking the law and teaching evolution. Annabel used her photography skills to help the journalists but was split between two camps. She saw the good and bad of both sides, the havoc that the "monkey trial" created in her hometown and the effects on her husband. For the first time in her life she had the power to make up her own mind evolving from a meek woman who accepted everything to one who questioned. For readers of historical fiction with a birdseye view of an event blended with a fictional character that feels very real. 4 stars  The fifth book in a series that pairs an ex-police detective and a mystery writer to solve a variety of cases. Reminiscent of Sherlock and Holmes with an injection of humor this pair rarely see eye-to-eye and that tension is what works for them. This story is slanted more to Inspector Hawthorne than writer Horowitz which worked better to throw yourself into the murder mystery for me. A gated community sees a grumpy resident silenced and the whole community seems to be a suspect. This series is a fun respite from the standard dark murder mysteries. 4 stars  |
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